MAIN ROLES IN CONSULTING

If you are thinking about becoming a consultant, there are two main paths you can pursue:

1. Becoming a consultant at a consulting firm, either a big or a boutique firm. At a consulting firm, you could have an external consulting position, which consists of directly working for a client, or an internal consulting position, which consists of supporting other teams from the inside.

Consultant positions: 
The biggest portion of employees at a consulting firm are consultants. They are the ones working on the projects. Promotion in consulting is very linear and fast, which explains the well-established hierarchy. Depending on the services offered by the firm, you can also work as an Auditor or Business Analyst.

2. Becoming an Internal Consultant at any Multinational Company, which is also known as In-House Consulting.

Inhouse consulting:
Inhouse consulting is another name for internal consulting. It usually refers to a department established in a large company, which provides management consulting services to the rest of the company, or to selected departments.

If you are planning on working as an In-house Consultant, the industrial sector could be a good option to be considered. Check out here for more info!

However, if what you like is the environment and culture of a consulting firm, but do not want to work as a consultant, you can always apply to common internal functions as the ones listed below.

Internal positions: 
Consulting firms are companies with a regular organizational structure. This means you can also work in a consulting firm in departments such as:

• Accounting
• Human resources
• Marketing & communications
• Legal department
• ...and many more!

Applications open when there's a need in the company and the vacancies are published on their own job sites. Usually, these internal positions require students to like the industry, but they don't necessarily ask for case-cracking skills (which consultant positions require).

THE LIFESTYLE OF A CONSULTANT

• They work in a fast-paced culture and a stimulating environment.
• They are offered great opportunities for career growth.
• After the first couple of years, they receive an attractive pay.
• They face a great variety of projects.
• They don't mind working long hours when the project demands it.
• They have the opportunity to travel if the business needs it.

MAIN PLAYERS

Check out Management Consulted Top Consulting Firms by Industry.
Click here for the key insights on Tech and Other Consulting Options.

These are only a few of the many consulting firms to consider. There are many consulting firms not included in any of these lists that are still great professional opportunities. Smaller, boutique firms can be perfect to learn a lot and grow fast within the company.

There is not one better than the other, only think of what fits best with the type of tasks and projects you enjoy. What type of questions would you like to answer for your clients? Here are some examples:

• How do we align teams to execute the new vision? - Management Consulting
• Where should we grow next? - Strategy Consulting
• Why is our order processing taking three days instead of one? - Operations Consulting

Most big consulting firms today are a mix of these consulting areas, not exclusive to only one type of consulting.

It is relatively easy to move from one to the other. Specially for junior roles, companies appreciate any consulting experience, even if obtained in a different area.

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DESIRED STUDENT PROFILE FOR GENERAL CONSULTING POSITIONS

You need to show them how passionate you are about the Consulting Sector. That needs to be clearly stated in the first sentence of your CV. They want to see a committed student with a clear career direction and with the skills they are looking for.

Some other highly valuable skills in consulting are adaptability, humility to be coachable and willing to learn, curiosity, eagerness and initiative.

CRAFT YOUR CONSULTING CV ACCORDINGLY

Consulting is a competitive sector in which we need to make the most of our first impression: our CV. Keeping in mind the ideal candidate for Consulting, you can craft a CV that is impressive for recruiters even without experience. Here are some ideas:

• Include "Relevant Courses" in your IE University Education and highlight quantitative coursework: Classes like economics, statistics, finance, engineering, or computer science can help demonstrate your analytical strength.
• Make sure to mention your client-facing or leadership tasks as part of your experiences or extracurricular activities: Whether you’ve led a campus organization, worked in customer service, or participated in volunteer projects, firms love to see that you’ve developed interpersonal and leadership skills in real-world settings.
• Include tasks and extracurricular activities that demonstrate structured thinking: Participating in case competitions, debate teams, or business clubs can show that you can structure your ideas and approach problems logically—exactly what you’ll be doing in client cases.
• Don't forget to add your data analysis skills: Experience with Excel, SQL, Python, or data visualization tools is increasingly valued, as many consulting projects rely on data-driven insights. As an IE student, you have access to over 4.000 courses in Coursera. Register and log in with Single Sign On and your IE credentials here.

Continue reading to find Opportunities & Musts during your time at IEU that will help you strengthen your Consulting candidature.

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As we explained in the Webinar on "How to Get Experience When you Don't Have Experience", there are various things you can do while at IE University to complete your CV. Make sure to review those activities and complement them with some specifics to make your CV more consulting focused and attractive to top firms.

CONSULTING CLUB

Consulting recruiters view active involvement in your university's Consulting Club very positively and sometimes even require it. You should not only join the club but also take part in its activities (Bootcamps, Case Olympics, Cups of Consulting, company presentations, etc.). You can join the IE Consulting Club here.

CONSULTING SIMULATIONS

Make your CV stand out to consulting recruiters by doing and including different The Forage consulting simulations. Having done their own or other's consulting simulation will be valued, showing interest and proactivity in becoming a consultant. Check all the available job simulations posted by top consulting firms here.

UNDERGRADUATE GLOBAL CASE COMPETITONS

If you want to stand out to consulting firms, global case competitions are a game-changer. They give you hands-on experience solving complex business problems, working in teams, and thinking strategically—just like a consultant would. 

Case competitions are a great addition to your CV. Even if you don’t win, participation demonstrates initiative and a global mindset, making you stand out as a proactive, well-rounded junior profile ready to add value from day one. Take a look at these global case competitions for undergraduates:

• Global Case Competition by 180Degrees Consulting
  • Applications typically open in August and close in September
  • Check the website for details and registration
• ISM Global Case Competition
  • Applications typically open in September
  • Check the website for details and registration
• Global CBS Case Competition
  • Applications deadline is typically November
  • Check the website for details and registration
• Global Case Competition at Harvard (GCCH)
  • Applications typically open in November
  • Check the website for details and registration
• Case Competition World Cup by Management Consulted
  • Applications deadline is typically December
  • Check the website for details and registration
• Accuracy Business Cup
  • Applications deadline is typically January
  • Check the website for details and registration

Keep in mind that applications and deadlines may vary from one year to the next.

IE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 1ST AND 2ND YEAR STUDENTS

From your very 1st year at IE, there are multiple programs powered by T&C that help you establish a professional and enriching experience with companies from different sectors, including consulting.

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WHAT CAN YOU APPLY TO?

Once your CV is on point, you can start applying. Depending on your year and experience you can either apply to:

• Summer Programs, Summer Experiences, Bootcamps or Challenges
• Summer Internship
• 6-month Intership
• Entry level positions

Find details on all these opportunities below. Please, keep in mind that this information may vary from one firm to another so take this information as a general overview of the most-frequent opportunities available in the Consulting Sector.

CONSULTING OPPORTUNITIES TIMELINE

Big consulting firms often recruit many months in advance. We can find offers with start dates 6 months and sometimes even a year from now. It is highly encouraged to keep reviewing which opportunities are open long before we actually want to start.

Here is a broad recommendation of how to organize your years at IE and what to apply for each semester if you are focused in Consulting from the very beginning. Do not be discouraged if you are already advanced in your degree, it is never too late to do start!

Keep in mind that this is only an approximation based on what we often find in big firms with very structured timelines. There are always spontaneous opportunities and much more immediate processes in any firm, big and small. Do not be discouraged if you haven't started applying yet and wish to join a company soon, it is never too late!

STEPS WITHIN THE RECRUITING PROCESS

In the following section of this handbook, you'll find essential information to prepare for the recruitment process at a consulting firm. We will focus on one key aspect: THE CASES.

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You can join our sector-specific monthly session in Consulting. Work alongside Talent & Careers to discuss your own career strategy for the Consulting Sector and solve any possible questions you might have.

This open session happens on the first Tuesday of the month at 11:30 – 12:30 and 16:00 – 17:00. Only from October to May. Join through this Zoom link.

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These links showcase IE alumni thriving in the consulting sector. They provide valuable insights into their career journeys and the skills they developed at IE. Enjoy exploring!

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Key points to take away from this guide:

• There are many consulting firms, opportunities are endless!
• If you have decided to start your career in Consulting, there are some steps you need to start taking.
  • Join the IE Consulting Club and consider global case competitions to acquire relevant experience before professional experience.
  • Craft your CV according to what is expected and desired from a candidate applying to consulting.
  • Follow key companies closely and be up to date with any events and networking opportunities you might encounter. Sometimes companies come to IE and sometimes they invite us over. Network as much as possible both inside and outside IE!
  • Practice cases as soon as you start applying. Aim for at least 20 practice cases before you do any case interview.
  • Contact T&C if you are scheduled for an online assessment or any interview and we will help you prepare!
  • Attend our monthly sector-specific session in Consulting if you have any doubts.

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